Median rent is 41% lower in Butte-Silver Bow ($808/mo vs $1,380/mo). Buying is cheaper in Butte-Silver Bow, where the median home runs $225,100 versus $315,200. Households earn more in Chicago ($75,134 vs $57,633 a year).
City A
Butte-Silver Bow, MT
City B
Chicago, IL
How much would you need to earn in Chicago, IL to maintain your standard of living from Butte-Silver Bow, MT?
A cost-of-living index isn't available for one of these cities yet, so we can't compute an equivalent salary.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each city's metro area. A rough estimate of overall purchasing power, not tax or take-home pay.
Metric
Butte-Silver Bow
Montana
Chicago
Illinois
👥Population
💰Median Household Income
Annual
🏠Median Gross Rent
Per month
🏡Median Home Value
📊Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
🔑1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🔑3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
🌬️Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
🏛️Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
🧾State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
🎂Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Butte-Silver Bow — median rent of $808/mo versus $1,380/mo in Chicago, a 41% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $315,200 versus $225,100 in Butte-Silver Bow — 29% more expensive.
1BR Fair Market Rent
2BR Fair Market Rent
BLS OEWS 2023 — metro-level data
Montana's top income tax rate is 5.90% versus 4.95% in Illinois, so Chicago is more tax-friendly for high earners. Sales tax is 0.00% in Montana and 6.25% in Illinois; Butte-Silver Bow has the lower rate (local add-ons may apply in both).
Butte-Silver Bow
Income tax: 5.90%
Sales tax: None
Chicago
Income tax: 4.95%
Sales tax: 6.25%
Air quality data is available for Chicago (avg AQI 21.0) but not yet for Butte-Silver Bow.
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($75,134/yr).
Pick Butte-Silver Bow if you prioritize cheaper rent ($808/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize lower state income tax (4.95%).
Is Butte-Silver Bow cheaper than Chicago?
Cost of living index data is not yet available for one or both cities.
How much is rent in Butte-Silver Bow vs Chicago?
Median rent is $808/mo in Butte-Silver Bow, MT and $1,380/mo in Chicago, IL. Butte-Silver Bow, MT has the lower rent by about 41%.
Which has higher salaries — Butte-Silver Bow or Chicago?
Median household income is $57,633 in Butte-Silver Bow, MT and $75,134 in Chicago, IL. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Which city has better air quality?
Air quality data is not yet available for one or both cities.
Which has lower taxes — Butte-Silver Bow or Chicago?
Montana's top income tax rate is 5.90% and Illinois's is 4.95%. Chicago, IL has the lower rate.
What salary do I need in Chicago to match my Butte-Silver Bow income?
RPP data needed for salary equivalence calculation is not yet available.
Data last updated: December 1, 2024 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology